Flow cytometry for cell and particle analysis
Stable sheath flow from 1 to 10 ml/min for reproducible cell analysis
Flow cytometry is an established method for the analysis and quantification of cells and particles in medicine, diagnostics, and research. Cells are hydrodynamically focused by a sheath flow and pass individually through the optical detection zone for analysis.
Stable and low-pulsation sheath flow is essential for reproducible measurement results. Micro annular gear pumps are used both for sheath fluid delivery in the range of 1 to 10 ml/min and for handling cell and particle suspensions within the analytical instrument.
What requirements does flow cytometry place on fluidic systems?
The quality of analytical results depends directly on the stability of the sheath flow. Variations in flow rate can influence the position of cells within the measurement zone and therefore affect the reproducibility of the analysis.
Key requirements include:
- stable sheath flow in the range of 1 to 10 ml/min
- low-pulsation fluid delivery for consistent measurement conditions
- gentle handling of cell and particle suspensions
- reproducible flow rates over extended measurement cycles
- low dead volume within the fluidic system
- compact integration into analytical instruments
Particularly in high-resolution cell analysis, stable fluidics contribute significantly to measurement quality and data reliability.
How are fluidic systems implemented in flow cytometry instruments?
Micro annular gear pumps of the low-pressure series mzr-2521 and mzr-2921 are used for sheath fluid delivery and for handling cell and particle suspensions. Their low-pulsation pumping characteristics support uniform flow conditions within microfluidic channels and help maintain stable measurement conditions.
Due to their compact size and low weight, the pumps can be easily integrated into OEM analytical instruments. The low-shear pumping principle supports gentle handling of sensitive cell and particle suspensions. In addition, the low dead volume supports efficient media exchange and reduces fluid consumption within the fluidic system.
The chemically resistant materials also make the pumps suitable for instruments that undergo regular cleaning or chemical sterilization procedures.
What benefits does this provide for flow cytometry instrument development?
By integrating micro annular gear pumps, analytical instruments can:
- provide stable sheath flow conditions
- support reproducible cell and particle analysis
- handle sensitive samples gently
- enable compact fluidic system designs
- facilitate media exchange with low dead volume
- achieve high instrument availability in laboratory environments
Micro annular gear pumps therefore provide a compact OEM solution for stable fluidic processes and reproducible measurement results in flow cytometry instruments.
